UH Student Media

Concert Review: MKTO’s American Dream Tour

Earlier this week, American duo: MKTO was in town for their American Dream Tour. I’ll start by giving a brief background on these boys. The pair consists of two guys named Malcom Kelley and Tony Oller. They met back in 2010 when filming TV series Gigantic. In 2013 they released their debut single titled Thank You and 6 months later, they released their second single titled Classic. While both songs were equally successful, Classic was most definitely the song that pushed them over the top.

Photo by Sunita Dharani

On the evening of July 24th, the streets nearing House of Blues were beginning to get packed as fans (and their parents) scrambled for parking. The show was set to begin at 6:20 with doors opening at 6, and as expected, fans were there long before. At exactly 6:20 pm, the opening act, a band called VerseCity took the stage. VerseCity is an alternative rock band consisting of 5 guys. Coincidentally, the lead singer, Micaiah Walker is a former UH student! We got a chance to chat with him briefly after their set which in which they performed songs: Pressure, You Won’t Stop Us, and more. Immediately after, the lead singer walked over to the merch table to take pictures with fans.

Photo by Sunita Dharani

Photo by Sunita Dharani

About 15 minutes later, pop singer Tiffany Houghton took the stage. She had a very girly set with songs to match. Her songs were very empowering to girls all around and had the audience moving the entire time. She performed her own songs as well as covered 5 Seconds of Summer song She Looks So Perfect and MKTO’s Classic. Her enthusiastic and bubbly personality on stage set a very exciting mood and had the fans ready for more.

Photo by Sunita Dharani

Photo by Sunita Dharani

Photo by Sunita Dharani

Next, without further preamble, pop-rock band Action Item blew the fans away with their edgy songs and swoon worthy members. Their set was energy charged and the band made sure to interact with the fans. At one point the band requested that the fans take one good (and posed) picture because they said they don’t always look their best when caught off guard. Happily, the band obliged and of course the band then said that they needed a picture of the audience too. Immediately after, they proceeded to the merch table to take pictures with fans and promoted their 5 song album.

Photo by Sunita Dharani

Photo by Sunita Dharani

Photo by Sunita Dharani

Photo by Sunita Dharani

Photo by Sunita Dharani

At around 8:40, MKTO took the stage. They began their 16 song set with Could Be Me. The fans and the parents were loving it. Malcolm and Tony did not let the fact that they were in Houston slip. Throughout the entire performance, they continuously gauged the audience’s mood by saying “Houston how are you feeling?!” The fans yelled relentlessly and on they went.

Photo by Sunita Dharani

Photo by Sunita Dharani

Photo by Sunita Dharani

About halfway through the show they covered an acoustic version of Am I Wrong and slowed things down a bit. While the fans were a little quiet (as quiet as you can be at the concert of your favorite band), Tony took the time to shout out his parents who were happily cheering them on from VIP. Things picked back up with Malcolm having a segment all to himself where he rapped and danced to the fans in delight. Tony then came back out for some time of his own as well.

Photo by Sunita Dharani

Photo by Sunita Dharani

Photo by Sunita Dharani

Photo by Sunita Dharani

Photo by Sunita Dharani

Photo by Sunita Dharani

As the show started to wrap up the fans were restless, for they still hadn’t performed what everyone was there to hear. After teasing them with a Classic singalong, finally the music started and the boys ended with the hit song. As the lights cut to black, many girls began heading out but to everyone’s surprise, the guys came back out for an encore and performed an acoustic cover of Royals, Get My Way, and ended with Thank You. Finally, with the crowd cheering incessantly, Malcolm and Tony bid Houston adieu. Overall, the show was extremely upbeat and an amazing way to spend a summer night.